The United States took some time to get into their World Cup opener against Australia. After an underwhelming first half, Megan Rapinoe broke the game wide open with a 3-1 win. While no one would say the Americans blew anyone away with their performance, they are certainly looking a top team to contend with. Now they clash with another tournament favorite as the Sweden national team has a very familiar face heading up their squad.
When Sweden and the United States meet Friday night for their second match of the tournament, the Americans will be seeing a familiar face on the other side of the pitch. Former US coach Pia Sundhage now heads up the Sweden national team. She led the United States to a World Cup final in 2011 and Olympic gold medals in both the 2008 and 2012 games. Since her departure from the United States, Sundhage has been critical of her former players most recently in an article with the New York Times, something that will add fire to the matchup.
The United States currently hold the lead in Group D and this match against Sweden will be critical to them coming out of the group stages. There will be questions about the lineup entering the match as Alex Morgan could be inserted as a starter after battling a knee injury. She has been out during all of the pre-tournament friendlies, but returned for some minutes in the game against Australia. The US normally favor a 4-4-2 lineup, but Abby Wombach and Christen Press could be moved around.
Sweden tied with Nigeria in their first match of the tournament thanks to shaky play from their back four. They gave up easy goals which could be an issue against the speed of Morgan, Sydney Leroux and Amy Rodriguez. The Americans will try and stretch the weakness Sweden showed.
The United States need to win their group and that means beating Sweden. If the US come in second they must head to Group E where a match with Brazil will be waiting. That also includes more traveling and less rest. The Swedes have been viewed as the team to best upset the United States and part of that is because of Sundhage. With a win under their belt, the US should show more confidence in this stretch.